FAFSA

The FAFSA, officially known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the form that families fill out to apply for federal grants, loans, and work-study funds for college students. It is administered by the U.S. Department of Education, which provides more than $150 billion in student aid each year.

Your eligibility for federal grants (which don’t have to be repaid) and federal loans (which do) will generally be based on your financial need, as determined by the information you supply on your FAFSA.

Students, parents, and borrowers are required to use an FSA ID, made up of a username and password, to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID is used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically sign your federal student aid documents.

The FSA ID is the username and password you use on federal student aid websites such as fafsa.gov and StudentLoans.gov.

If you’re ready, you can create an FSA ID now.

You know you have to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, but maybe you’re not sure what to do.

Let’s review what to expect.